A circuit from Hartsop (Patterdale)

Including Kirkstone pass, St Ravens's edge, John Bell's Banner & Caudale moor, descending via Hartsop Dodd. 

9.5miles 2250ft

Setting off from the hamlet of Hartsop at the southern end of the Patterdale valley

Crossing Caiston beck to the west side of Brotherswater

Looking south up Brotherswater, is this the smallest lake or the largest tarn....?

....and again

Approaching the back of Hartsop hall. It's reknowned for having an usual design of a priest's hiding hole. Also not so far away from here, high on Dove crag is a small cave known as Priest's Hole!

....now at the front of the hall

 

Leaving Brotherswater behind I continued up the valley passing the 'Kirkstone' after which the pass is named.

Arriving at the Kirkstone Inn, the highest in Cumbria and 2nd highest in England at 1489ft. (The highest in England being the Tan Hill Inn 1732ft on the Coast to Coast path in North Yorkshire)

Climbing above the inn to St Raven's edge 1946ft with a view to lake Windermere....

....and  down to Troutbeck valley

I continued across John Bell's Banner looking across the Western Kentmere fells...

....and ahead to Stony Cove pike & Caudale Moor....

....with a hazy view to Morecambe bay....

....and southern end of  lake Windermere before....

....arriving at the summit cairn of Caudale Moor 2503ft today's highest point

I then began the steep descent down Hartsop Dodd...

....looking west to the ridges leading up to Fairfield

I stopped for lunch with a great view down to Brotherswater and the Patterdale valley...

....with the campsite....

....and Brotherswater inn directly below

The final part of my route was along the east side of Brotherswater....

....and again...

....finishing back in the hamlet of Hartsop

A great day out on the fells in not the best of fell walking weather but with only one short rain shower whilst climbing to Kirkstone pass, so no complaints given the forecast!

 Great Gable from Seathwaite via 

Sty Head tarn, Green Gable via Windy Gap & return down Gillercomb & Sour Milk gill

8miles 2800ft

Setting off from Seathwaite farm on a perfect summer's morning

Straight on for Grains Gill but my route takes me to the right to climb to Sty Head....

....after I've crossed Stockley bridge

 

The view back down the valley from the bridge

Starting the climb to Styhead tarn....

Continuing up Sty Head gill....

....and arriving at Sty Head tarn

The four walkers seen here had climbed Ben Nevis last week and were now heading for Scafell pike....where next do you think?

Reaching the comforting knowledge of a stretcher box in the area!!!!!

Now above Kern Knotts looking across to Lingmell with Piers Gill rising left to right. To the left of the gill is a great route up Scafell pike. 

Nearing Great Gable's summit and looking left to right Great End, Broad Crag, Ill Crag, Scafell Pike & Scafell

Zooming in on one of my favourite summits Scafell. It's said that for every person on Scafell there are 50 on Scafell Pike.......I wonder why?

Now on Great Gable's summit (2949ft) and looking west to Pillar & the Wasdale fells

The memorial on the summit to the members of the Fell & Rock climbing club who lost their lives in WW1 

A must visit whilst on Great Gable is the Westmorland Cairn just below the summit to the west. The views are amazing....

Looking down Great Hell's Gate to Lingmell back....

....and west to Wasdale & Wastwater

Zooming in on Wasdale Head & Wastwater

Leaving the summit I descended to Windy Gap with Green Gable ahead.....

....and had lunch on the summit 2628ft looking down Ennerdale ahead & the Buttermere valley to the right...

....and then I descended down Gillercomb.....

....to the head of Sour milk gill....

.....with a view down the gill to Seathwaite....

....where my car was parked.

A fabulous day's walking....they don't come much better than this!!!!

(but I'm always open to suggestions!!)

 A Circuit from Mardale Head Haweswater

Mardale Ill Bell via Small Water tarn & Nan Bield Pass, High Street summit & Race Course Hill. Kidsty Pike, and return via Kidsty Howes & The Rigg

8.5miles 2750ft ascent

Looking back to Mardale Head car park

Climbing beside Small Water beck on the path to Nan Bield pass

Arriving at Small Water with Nan Bield pass behind. Sadly there are plans to now lower the level of this tarn by at least a metre!

Just above the tarn are these unusual shelters....

....and again in close up

Starting to climb to the Pass above the tarn....

....and again from a little higher with Haweswater behind

Reaching the top of the pass there's a lovely view  south to Kentmere reservoir with Yoke & Ill Bell above. (not to be confused with Mardale Ill Bell!)

....and to the north Small Water and Haweswater again

Looking back to Nan Bield pass as I continue to Mardale Ill Bell....

.....and now arriving at its summit 2493ft

A gentle climb continues to High Street summit....

....with a view to another tarn, Blea Water on the way

Arriving at High Street summit today's highest point 2717ft The name High Street comes from the Roman road which followed this route over the fell

A short walk off the summit gives a good view to the high fells further west....

....and yet another reservoir, Hayeswater

I then continued north across Race Course hill which was actually used at one time, once a year, for horse racing! 

Looking east down Riggindale to Haweswater.... 

....and west across to Helvellyn & the distinctive pike Catstye Cam

Continuing across Race Course hill to....

Kidsty Pike 2559ft....

.....where I met these 3 fine fellows who were walking the Coast to Coast path. The gentleman on the left had come all the way from Kansas City to do this walk! In conversation it turned out he lives a stones throw from where the England World Cup team are based! 

(Good luck with the rest of your walk guys)

Now on the final leg of the descent...

....crossing Riggindale beck....

....and finding shade under the trees for my lunch

Lunch break complete the final mile was a lovely easy walk

....along the edge of  Haweswater....

....and again

When the valley was flooded for the reservoir the village of Mardale was evacuated and buildings demolished. However in dry periods the walls of the old field enclosures and parts of houses can be seen.

Finally back at the car park at Mardale head.

Today was one of the best day's walking of the many great walks I've had this year, and that just about says it all!!!